The Best Carp Fishing Sleeping Bags - (Complete Guide For All Seasons)
Carp fishing is becoming more and more popular in the UK. More anglers are seeking to escape, enjoy some peace and quiet and catch some beautiful fish whilst at it.
But no matter how much you love being out in nature, it can get chilly when night falls (especially in the UK).
That's where a good carp sleeping bag comes in. Whether you are fishing in the height of summer or the deepest depths of winter, there are plenty of options available to keep you warm no matter what the conditions.
This article will take you through the best carp fishing sleeping bags available on the market today, including both budget-friendly and high-quality options.
These bags have been tried and tested by ourselves as well as many other carp anglers. Keep reading to find out which one is right for you!
Quick Answer...
If you are in a rush, you can skip straight to our choices of the best carp fishing sleeping bags below.
Alternatively, please read on to find out more in our comprehensive guide.
What features to look for in the best carp fishing sleeping bags?
We hope it’s obvious, but the main thing you are looking for is warmth and comfort. ‘Too warm’ aren’t generally words in our vocabulary when it comes to using sleeping bags in the UK.
Even the warmest days can turn into bitterly cold nights, especially when you are about 20cm from the cold bare ground. Here are some of the other features to look out for:
Season rating
Generally, the best carp fishing sleeping bags are given a season rating. The greater the number of seasons, the warmer it should keep you. Two and three-season sleeping bags are generally lighter with less padding.
If you had to pick, we would advise that you got for more seasons not less. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself with the best carp fishing sleeping bag for summer-only, and you still might be cold.
The following table shows what season rating is suited for certain weather conditions:
‘Mummy’ bags are ok, they are generally a little warmer as there is less air for your body to heat, but if you want to move around or have easy access in and out of your bag (and you will if you are catching) square bags might be the best carp fishing sleeping bags.A table to show what conditions to use what season rating sleeping bag in:
| Season Rating | When To Use |
|---|---|
| 2 | Only really suitable for summer months and mild to warm evenings |
| 3 | Suitable for spring and autumn months with conditions average and not too cold |
| 4 | Ideal for late autumn and early spring as well as in the winter on non-frosty nights |
| 5 | These bags are very well insulated and ideal for the winter months and extremely cold conditions |
Shape
Generally speaking, there are 3 different shapes you will see in a carp fishing sleeping bag. These are as follows:
- Mummy Style
- Bedchair shaped (rectangle)
- Hybrid
Check out the following table that provides a summary of each type:
Table to show the different shapes of carp fishing sleeping bag:
| Shape | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Mummy style | Generally a little warmer as there is less air for your body to heat | Less room to be able to move around within the bag |
| Bedchair shaped | More space to move around. A good style for warmer months | Not as thermally efficient as the Mummy style bag |
| Hybrid | Good for both warmth and breathability | Not as efficient as the Mummy style in extremely cold conditions |
Insulation type
When choosing a carp fishing sleeping bag, there are generally two types of insulation to choose from. These are Synthetic and Down.
Synthetic insulation
Synthetic material is the most common insulation type in sleeping bags and is most often the cheapest. It also has good waterproofing properties. The caveat is, however, it is also bulkier and heavier than the Down type insulation.
Down Insulation
Down insulation is made of duck or goose feathers. It is a much softer type of insulation and, as such, is a lot lighter.
Another useful property of the Down insulation sleeping bag is its tendency to compress a lot easier than the synthetic type and so is ideal for anglers looking for a much more compact type bag for storing and transporting.
Finally, what may influence your decision on what sleeping bag type to choose is what Carp Fishing Clothing you tend to wear. If you prefer to sleep in a thick jacket and padded trousers then you may need more room to move than if you're wearing next to nothing!
Sleeping bag zips
One feature that is really important in a carp fishing sleeping bag is crash zips. A crash zip is like an easy release mechanism that keeps you snug but gives you the freedom to spring out of the bag and out of your carp bivvy or brolly system at the first beep of your bite alarm.
This whole movement should be quick, fluid, and hopefully, with your head torch still intact!.
Other sleeping bag features
Some additional, and really useful features to look for in the best carp fishing sleeping bags are as follows:
The ability to draw the face hole closed: - This is particularly useful in winter when your nose and cheeks begin to sting with the cold.
Mosquito hoods: - Handy in summer when those pesky mosquitos are out and about.
Draught excluding features: - These are designed to keep the cold out in typically vulnerable points on the sleeping bag
Bedchair attachments: - Depending on the shape and material of your bedchair, the sleeping bag can often slip and move. Some of the best carp fishing sleeping bags have straps that enable you to securely attach them to your bedchair and limit movement.
Foot section: - A lot of carp anglers wear their fishing boots or bivvy slippers when they sleep. This is understandable as you need to get to your carp rods as quickly as possible when those alarms start screeching.
A lot of the best carp fishing sleeping bags will make the bottom half of the internal section of the bag, in a wipeable, easy-to-clean material for added convenience.
The Best Carp Fishing Sleeping Bags
The following carp fishing sleeping bags exude a lot of the qualities and features described above. Our list covers all eventualities so hopefully, you'll find one that suits you:
1
Trakker Big Snooze Plus
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 215cm (L) x 91cm (W)
- Weight: 3.2kg
- Material: Polyester Ripstop with Fleece Lining
- Season Rating: 3 Seasons
Key features:
- Ultra-light and warm sleeping bag
- Highly-breathable ripstop material
- Warm fleece inner
- Quick-release zips on two sides, with webbing to prevent snagging
- Secure elasticated bedchair head and foot fixings
- Bedchair fixing strap to reduce movement
- Lined with a warm carpy green fleece
- Supplied with a stuff sack
The Big Snooze Plus by the reputable Trakker is a re-engineered version of their number one best-selling sleeping bag of all time. In fact, they have made it a lot better which means you have a popular, yet quality, sleeping bag here.
Compared with the original Trakker Big Snooze bag, this version has some great additional features.
The webbing on the quick-release zips is really useful as this prevents the snagging that can sometimes occur when 'bursting out' causing you to take the bag and half the content of your bivvy to your rods! (believe me, I've been there!)
The elasticated, securing straps are strong and useful and the bag is very warm and fleece-lined, allowing for a comfortable sleep.
All in all, this is a fantastic sleeping bag that is also great value for money.
Check out the following video that visually shows off the features mentioned above:
Pros
Cons
Alternative Trakker Sleeping Bag:
2
Wychwood Comforter Sleeping Bag
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 240cm (L) x 90cm (W)
- Weight: 3.75kg
- Material: 240T Ripstop material with Fleece Lining
- Season Rating: 4 Seasons
Key features:
- Fleece lining
- 4 Chamber hollow-fill
- Large crash zips
- Elasticated hoods at head and foot
- Bed fixing strap
The Wychwood Comforter Sleeping bag has been designed to offer you a lightweight, yet warm sleeping bag.
The fleece lining and the four-chamber hollow-fill ensure that not only is the sleeping bag warm as soon as you get in it but it is also efficient at maintaining any internal heat generated.
The bag is made with large crash zips that make it very easy to 'burst' out to hit the all-important run as fast as possible.
The bag also comes with elasticated hoods at the head and the foot end as well as a bedchair fixing strap.
Weighing in at just 3.75kg, this sleeping bag is one of the best on the market for the metric of weight vs warmth ratio and is no doubt one of the best carp fishing sleeping bags on the market today.
Check out the following video that demonstrates not only the Wychwood comforter sleeping bag but also the bedchair and cover as well...
Pros
Cons
Alternative Wychwood products:
3
Sonik SK-TEK Sleeping Bag
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 215cm (L) x 90cm (W)
- Weight: 3.8kg
- Material: Silicone Treated Hollow Fibre with Ripstop Outer
- Season Rating: 5 Seasons
Key features:
- Oversized No.10 coil crash zips.
- More efficient internal zip baffles
- Removable elasticated centre strap.
- ¾ Length zips with easy-slide guides
- 190T Ripstop outer material.
- Smooth polyester lined base for easy movement
- Fleece-lined top cover with smooth stubble guard neck lining.
- Foot drawstring to eliminate cold spots
- Compression sack included
The SK-TEK sleeping bag is not only packed full of handy features but is also really efficient at keeping you warm in low temperatures.
The newly designed hood on this bag allows it to be customised for your sleeping position and the additional neck lining and shoulder pockets are lovely, well -thought-out touches.
The smooth polyester base allows for easy movement inside the bag and the foot drawstring provides options to close in the insulation for added warmth on those really cold nights.
All in all, Sonik has produced a fantastic carp sleeping bag with the SK-TEK that offers numerous features at a really competitive price.
Check out this video on the Sonik SK-TEK sleeping bag:
Pros
Cons
Alternative Sonik Sleep System:
4
JRC Defender Fleece Sleeping Bag
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 210cm (L) x 90cm (W)
- Weight: 1.3kg
- Material: Durable polyester construction
- Season Rating: 3 Seasons
Key features:
- Warm 150g/m2 hollow fibre filling
- Smooth crash zips positioned on either side of the bag
- Elasticated bedchair connections hoods at the head and foot sections
- Central fixation strap
- Super small and light transportation size/weight
- Supplied complete with a compression sack
The features on the JRC Defender are those that you see on most carp fishing sleeping bags such as zips on both sides for an easy exit, fixation straps to keep the bag secure on the bedchair, and elasticated head and foot sections.
The sleeping bag is made from a durable polyester outer with hollow fibre filling for additional ventilation.
The Defender is also super lightweight and ideal for those anglers that like to roam around a lot when carp fishing.
All in all, this is a fantastic bag from a reputable brand that we recommend for your summer sessions.
Pros
Cons
Alternative JRC Sleeping Bag:
5
Fox Flatliner Sleeping Bag
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 215cm (L) x 84cm (W)
- Weight: 3.9kg
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Season Rating: 3 or 5 Seasons
Key features:
- 7 Core Hollow Fibre filling
- Fleece foot and head section give added warmth and comfort
- The whole of the top layer is microfleece for maximum warmth and comfort
- Pillow retainer on the base layer
- Supplied in stuff sack
- Non-snag, heavy-duty crash zips
- Anti-snag polyester guard webbing
The Flatliner is another fantastic sleeping bag by Fox International that is available in either 3 or 5 season ratings. The 3 Season Sleeping Bag is the ideal sleep system for the spring, summer, and autumn months whilst the 5 Season bag comes into its own in winter.
The bag itself boasts a silicone-treated, seven-core hollow fibre filling, which really helps it to maintain its shape.
Other great features on the flatliner include offset panel stitching that helps retain heat, heavy-duty crash zips, and securing straps that keep the bag locked into place on the bed chair.
The great heat retention properties on this bag are further achieved by the polyester lined mid-section that contains fleece lining on both the header and foot sections.
The sleeping bag comes with a stuff sack for easy transportation, with minimal space taken up on the barrow.
In summary, this is a great sleeping bag with all the features you require to ensure you are comfortable and therefore efficient in your carp fishing.
Pros
Cons
Alternative Fox Sleeping Bags:
6
JRC Cocoon 5-season
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 207cm (L) x 87cm (W)
- Weight: 5.5kg
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Season Rating: 5 Seasons
Key features:
- Waterproof peach skin
- 100% breathable
- Easy Movement inner lining
- Upper fleece lining for heat preservation
- Optional bands to attach to bedchair
- Compression bag for storage
This 5-season sleeping bag from the reputable JRC is designed for maximum comfort and warmth.
The peach skin prevents any moisture from entering the sleeping bag while the inner lining is 100% breathable for a comfortable night's sleep.
The bag features an upper fleece lining to provide additional heat preservation and there are optional bands so you can easily attach it to your bedchair.
The integrated 'stuff' bag that comes with the package provides easy storage and transportation.
Check out the following video that showcases the great features of the JRC Cocoon Bag:
Pros
Cons
Alternative JRC Sleeping Bag:
7
NGT 5 Season Sleeping Bag
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 210cm (L) x 95cm (W)
- Weight: 3.5kg
- Material: 100% Hollow Fibre Filling + 190T Polyester Outer
- Season Rating: 5 Seasons
Key features:
- Extreme High Tog Rating
- Soft pile liner
- Zips on both sides
- Bedchair secure straps
- Compression bag
- Temperature range -15 To 8 degrees Celsius
NGT has been producing quality yet affordable fishing gear for some years now. This 5 season sleeping bag adds to their range beautifully.
Being 5-season rated, it's suitable for fishing in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Celsius. This is achieved through the hollow fibre filling, the 129T polyester outer, and the soft pile liner, making it a dream to lie in.
The securing straps are basic yet still do the job admirably, whilst the burst zips on both sides of the bag are as good as any other on the market.
In summary, when it comes to a quality carp fishing sleeping bag at an affordable price, this offering ticks all the boxes.
Pros
Cons
Alternative Budget Sleeping Bag:
Final Thoughts
When it comes to the best carp fishing sleeping bags it really does pay not to go too cheap or flimsy.
Whilst it might seem trivial now when you are lying there with your teeth chattering and only the ducks to keep you company, you’ll be wondering why you didn’t spend an extra few quid.
A good day follows a good night and by choosing the best sleeping bag for fishing, you can make sure you leave nothing to chance.
Thanks for reading
Tight Lines!
All of the fishing tackle featured in this article can be found at one of the following online shops...
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